The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-04
LABOR STRIKES.
Report of tho Curtin Committee-Arbitration
Not a Feasible Remedy

Report of the Curtin COmmttfee-Arbttr3t1On
Not Feasible Remedy.
WASHINGTON, March 3.--Chairman Curtin, of
the select committee created by the House of
Represen tatives to inquire into the cause and
extent of Western railroad strikes to-day SUBJ
mitted the report of that committee. By far
the larger part of the report is devoted to his
tory of the origin and progress of the Missouri
Pacific strike and a recapitulation of the testi
mony taken by the committee. In summing up
the report says: "With regard to the general
question of the right of workmen to combine
for determining with their employers the terms
on which only they will consent to work for
them, provided the combination be perfectly vol
untary, and full liberty be left to all other work
men to undertake the work and no obstruction
be placed in the way of the employer resorting
elsewhere in this country in search of a supply
of labor we think there is ground in justice
or sound policy for withholding such right
from the workmen 1t cannot be doubted that
demand backed by the resolution of large
body Of workmen to decline work, if the de-
mand be not acceded to, comes with more force
than that Of an isolated workman. The
workmen may reasonably claim to be allowed
any advantage which they can derive from such
concerted action in bargaining with their en-
ployers from time to time as to the terms on
which they will dispose OF their labor; but upon
the same principle. and for a precisely similar
reason whilst conceding to such workmen as &C.
sire to exercise it. an extended right to combine
against their employers. especial care should be
taken ts.au equal right be secured to those
workmen who desire to keep aloof from the Cons
bination and dispose of their labor with perfect
individual freedom. The workmen who think it
for their advantage to combine together in the
disposal of their labor are no more justified In
constraining any other workman who does not
desire to enter such combination and bring his
labor into the common stock with theirs than
an association of capitalists are In CON-
bining to advance prices or rates
of TRANSPORTATION, to be paid by the
general public. There can be no doubt that the
concentration of wealth and power. and the OPP
pressions which havo occurred, as shown in the
evidence taken, have promoted the unrest OF IA
bor. This is painfully apparent Whatever
NAV be the defects OF the interstate commerce
law an enlightened commission coon to be APP
pointed will recommend prompt legislation TO
give the protection which Is needed TO those who
are interested only in the regular and proper
operation and management OF the railroads
majority Of your committee cannot believe that
arbitration can bc effective. for the reason that
there must be two parties TO the arbitration,
and either may decline. And when disturbances
occur it would not be effective in Immediately
redressng wrongs restoring the means OF
transit of persons and property TO the people OF
the country
THE renort continues: at will be found in
the evidence that there were grievances of
which the laborsrs and workmen of the roads
had just reason tc complain, and these may have
extended or enlarged the strike The general
expressions or grievances complained of were
generally by subordinates who had power over
certain laborefs persons employed on the
road. Noticeahly, they We're asked to work
more hours than were contracted for; they were
reduced in their time without notice; they were
carried by the railroad in the night, without pro-
vision being plade whereby they could obtain
| sleep, to make repairs of bridges or on parts OF
the road which had been destroyed by accident,
| or they were not allowed pay for travelling at
night, and in some instances, even. were not
| given transportation on the road back to their
| home. These grievances were, to great ex-
| tent, unhappy incidents Of the dispute leading
/ to the strike. II is also shown that the Texas
| & Pacific company had what is known
as BLACKLIST which contained the
names -of some of those persons. BY
no combination of capital or TO
no extent OF incorporated power can the listing
/ of an American citizen as being ur worthy of en-
ployment be justified. Having cited the express
provision of the Constitution authorizing Con-
| gress to regulate commerce among the States.
! We need but refer to the statutes enacted pro-
tecting post-roads and those regulating ccmnseres